With Shane LaChance and Cam Squires making an impact in Utica’s final games, another prospect signing is announced in Matyas Melovsky, ushering in some hope for the future.
Some Musings on the Season that Wasn’t in Utica
The Utica Comets dug themselves a hole early this season and could not dig themselves out, despite a much better second half. The Devils AHL affiliate finished with a 31-33-6-2 record, bad enough for 26th of the 32 teams in the league, but respectable from where they were at the start of the calendar year. Still, not all was lost. Late season improvement and a trio of prospect signings bode well for the team’s future.
The latest prospect to be signed is Matyas Melovsky, who penned a one year deal with the Comets for next season. It’s a minor league contract, but as we saw with Isaac Poulter, the Devils could always sign him to a NHL-contract later. Melovsky was much talked about on these pages and the 20-year-old lead all Devils prospect across all leagues with 83 points in only 57 games in the Q. Melovsky will make his professional debut with Utica next season.
The other two prospects joined Utica in the final stretch and both made immediate impacts. Right winger Cam Squires scored a goal and three assists in four games and left winger Shane LaChance added a goal and an assist in two contests. Both should have strong roles with the Comets next season.
Another prospect likely coming over to Utica will be Goaltender Jakub Malek, who was signed last summer and then loaned to Ilves this season in the Liiga. Malek shined in net, leading the league with a 2.09 GAA and neared the top with a .910 SV%. If Malek does not make the Devils outright, he should be a force in net for the Comets.
Other prospects may also earn more time. Defender Topias Vilen had a sneaky good season for the Comets, earning the team’s award for most-improved player. Vilen will look to take on a bigger role should Simon Nemec and/or Seamus Casey fully graduate to the NHL.
Winger Josh Filmon should also not be completely forgotten. He slipped down the depth chart after struggling early on this season. The lanky winger finally found his game after a demotion to Adirondack, leading the team with 20 goals. Look for Filmon to be motivated in camp for a bounce back season.
Then there are the unknowns. Which veterans will be moved, waived, traded, or left unsigned? Other prospects could also be brought in. Lenni Hameenaho’s contract is up with Assat. Would he join the Devils straight away or cut his teeth with the Comets?
These are questions for another time. This is a short post. With the first round raging on, most people’s minds are not on prospects. That said, the prospect cupboard seemed bare in Utica earlier this year. Now, it seems to be filling. That’s a good sign going forward.
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